Manchester United Transfer News: Arturo Vidal and Gerard Pique Plans Emerge

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is reportedly targeting Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal and FC Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique as part of another massive spending spree.

Van Gaal certainly hasn't been shy about throwing the club's money around since succeeding David Moyes this summer. He spent fortunes on landing Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind, Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao.

But the Dutchman clearly hasn't finished remaking this United squad. Both Vidal and Pique represent upgrades at key positions.

The latter was a one-time United player before returning to Barcelona. However, Pique has found things a little tougher under new manager Luis Enrique.

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

The 27-year-old has been dropped at the start of this season after Enrique recruited Jeremy Mathieu and Thomas Vermaelen in the summer market. According to AS, via Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express, that's what is making Van Gaal think he can bring the player back to Old Trafford:

"

Despite turning out for the La Liga outfit 269 times, winning four league title, two Copa del Reys and two Champions Leagues in the process, Pique has failed to make an impression under new boss Luis Enrique.

[...]

With the best years of his career still ahead of him, Pique would prove to be a fantastic signing for any club, and outlet AS is reporting that Louis Van Gaal wants to bring him to Old Trafford in January.

"

It should also encourage Van Gaal that Pique offered his personal backing for United's new manager back in July, per a report by the Press Association in the Irish Independent:

"

I didn't know him a lot because I was really young when he was Barcelona's coach, but he had a really good relationship with my grandfather, the former vice-president of the club.

I had the chance to see him one day at my grandfather's house when I was 12 or 13 years old. He arrived at the house and he knew I was playing for the Barcelona youth team. He pushed me and I fell to the floor, and he said 'you are not tough enough to be a centre-back'.

So, yes, he really is a disciplinarian, and I think he will do brilliantly here.

"

Since Pique has hoovered up several major titles in his second spell at Barca, Van Gaal is apparently now convinced he's tough enough. It's certainly understandable he'd have an interest in such an accomplished defender, one who is still at a young age.

Anyone who has watched a United game this season knows how vulnerable Van Gaal's new-look team is at the back. That was made brutally clear when the Red Devils recently surrendered four second-half goals to newly promoted Leicester City in a 5-3 Premier League defeat.

Clive Rose/Getty Images

Not surprisingly, Van Gaal's threadbare defence came in for immediate criticism in the aftermath of that shock scoreline. Writing for the Daily Mail, pundit Jamie Redknapp took Van Gaal to task for not signing a quality centre-back in the summer and also said the woes at the back are more than just tactical:

"

Everyone could see that United were light years away from where they should be. They were so obviously short of top defenders and have given themselves a major problem by not signing a recognised centre back.

"

It's obvious that Van Gaal needs a talisman at the back to act as the focal point of his defence. Still quick and combative, as well as comfortable in possession, Pique could be the rearguard leader United desperately lack.

As for Vidal, while any team should welcome a midfielder of his qualities, that's one area where Van Gaal isn't short of options. Herrera has already impressed, and Di Maria looks every inch the match-winning star the club hoped it was getting when it paid £59.7 million to Real Madrid.

In this context, it's difficult to see how Van Gaal would make room for Vidal. Yet that possible dilemma apparently hasn't stopped him from reviving interest in a long-term target, per Daily Star reporter Colin Harvey:

"

The Red Devils tried all summer to land the Chilean midfielder but were unable to do a deal with the Serie A giants. Boss Louis van Gaal had concerns over Vidal's troublesome knee which needed surgery before the World Cup.

It is being reported in Italy that the Dutchman will watch Vidal's progress over the next few months closely before passing judgement on the midfielder's fitness. If Vidal makes it to January unscathed it is believed a fresh bid will be submitted.

"

Vidal is not the natural holding player United need to protect their suspect defence. However, he is still an exceptional workhorse with a deadly eye for goal.

Vidal is also a willing tackler, one who can scrap for possession and harass opposition players at both ends of the pitch. Yet the 27-year-old certainly does his best work in advanced areas, the very positions where Di Maria, and recently Wayne Rooney, have been operating.

Van Gaal can't even fit Di Maria, Rooney, Herrera and Juan Mata into the same team. Signing Vidal would likely complicate things even further.

United could be left with a bloated squad of high-profile and high-priced disgruntled stars. Both Pique and Vidal represent the kind of megabucks, marquee signings that are becoming the norm under Van Gaal.

This Galacticos-style policy prompted former assistant Mike Phelan to suggest United's identity, often defined by building from within, is "broken," per BBC Sport reporter Gary Rose:

"

They have probably lost the way of Manchester United a little bit. Now, rather than produce, it may be the case where they are buying in. Someone like a Danny Welbeck has been part of United's identity and that has been broken.

"

Throwing money at quick-fix solutions is a dangerous practice. However, having managed just one league win from five matches, Van Gaal could be leaving himself little choice.